but they will not collect ransom in exchange for not crashing the american economy. the financial well-being of the american people is not leverage to be used. the full faith and credit of the united states of america is not a bargaining chip. >> as you would expect, republicans quick to respond. senate minority leader mitch mcconnell said in part the president and his allies need to get serious about spending, and the debt-limit debate is the perfect time for it. republican congresswoman marsha blackburn of tennessee took it a step further, suggesting her party was ready for a government shutdown. >> we're going to look at all of these options. you know, there is the option of government shutdown. there is an option of raising the debt ceiling in short-term increments. >> would you be willing, if you don't get the kind of cuts that you think are necessary, would you be willing to go into default or to shut down the government? >> i think that there is a way to avoid default if it requires shutting down certain portions of the government, let's look at that. >> accor